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New Temple, The third Temple
Ezekiel 40:5 “Now there was a wall all around the outside of the temple. In the man’s hand was a measuring”
Some call this the third temple, and some call this the Millennial Temple. The first Temple was built by King Solomon, and the second Temple by the Israel exiles from Babylon. But the temple they built, was not according to the size and layout as given by Ezekiel 40-48. The problem with building the third Temple, is that it would not fit on the current Temple Mount in Jerusalem, as it is described as being so vast it would nearly cover a square mile and significantly exceed the dimensions of the existing site, requiring the demolition of the Dome of the Rock and a massive expansion of the area. The Temple complex in Ezekiel’s vision features an outer court measuring 500 reeds on each side, which translates to approximately 5,000 feet or nearly a mile. This vast size would encompass an area of roughly 403,000 square meters. The current Temple Mount area is only about 140,000 to 150,000 square meters.
Perhaps this why YHWH tells Ezekiel he should show this design to the people, because they would understand this is not just a rebuilt or restore of the Temple.. this was something much bigger! Ezekiel 43:10-11 “Son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern. And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the temple and its arrangement, its exits and its entrances, its entire design and all its ordinances, all its forms and all its laws. Write it down in their sight, so that they may keep its whole design and all its ordinances, and perform them.”
This temple described in Ezekiel 40–48 was never built in the way Ezekiel described it, as its immense size and specifications are unique and have not been matched by any constructed building in the history of Israel. Many religious interpretations suggest that the vision either serves as a symbolic portrayal of divine restoration and messianic rule, a future blueprint for the millennial kingdom, hence the name “Millennial Temple”.
However, in Revelation 21:22, John states, “I saw no temple in the city, for YHWH Elohim Almighty and the Lamb are its temple“. So he does say there is a temple, but not a physical one, a spiritual one, so vast it would astonish those who see it.
Palm Trees
Ezekiel 40:16, 41:18 “And on each gatepost were palm trees.”, “And it was made with cherubim and palm trees, a palm tree between cherub and cherub”
The Hebrew name used here for “Palm tree figures” are Timmora H8561 – timmōrâ, from the root words Tamar H8558 – tāmār and H8559 – tāmār. Click here for previous posts about the meaning of the Palm Tree, and how it relates to the stories of the 3 woman in the bible called Tamar.
In Solomon’s Temple, there were also palm trees and cherubim (winged angels), but there were also flowers, lions and other features. Here Ezekiel only mentions the Palm trees and the Cherubim. From Psalm 1 we posted about the importance of trees, as throughout Scripture many trees are mentioned (click here to read more)! But it does make one wonder, why only the Palm tree specifically, on the Temple with the Cherubim…
Zadok
Ezekiel 40:46 “these are the sons of Zadok, from the sons of Levi, who come near YHWH to minister to Him.”
The Hebrew name for Zadok is Sadoq H6659 – ṣāḏôq, meaning “Righteous“. Click here to see the meaning of Righteousness, and what it means to be Righteous.
Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar the son of Aaron, a loyal priest during the time of King David, helped bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, supported Solomon as king, and was rewarded in the millennial kingdom. After Solomon’s building of the First Temple in Jerusalem, Zadok was the first High Priest to serve there. Ezekiel describes the sons of Zadok as great opponents of paganism during the era of idol worship, and prophecies their right to unique duties and privileges in the future temple.
There is a belief that the Essenes who existed around the time of the Dead Sea Scrolls, also had leaders from the Zadokite lineage, suggesting a connection to the Qumran community. There are no more strict genealogical documentation to rely on, as was done during the old testament times, which means spiritually only YHWH will know, and it is not a privilege for man to know.
Two-faced angels
Ezekiel 41:18-19,25 “Then he brought me into the sanctuary”, “Each cherub had two faces, so that the face of a man was toward a palm tree on one side, and the face of a young lion toward a palm tree on the other side;”, “Cherubim and palm trees were carved on the doors of the temple just as they were carved on the walls”
In a previous post from Psalm 91 we listed the most common different types of angels (click here to read more). The Cherubim is most commonly known for having four faces. In this case, these angels are also called Cherubs in Hebrew, H3742 – kᵊrûḇ, but they are specifically given only two faces, the one with a man and a lion. We have made previous posts on the Lion, click here to read more on that.
East gate shut
Ezekiel 43:1, 44:1-3 “Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east“, “Then He brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary which faces toward the east, but it was shut. And YHWH said to me, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because YHWH Elohim of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut“
Click here to see a previous post about the word “East” and the amazing meaning of it in Hebrew. East is not just a direction, but has meaning throughout Scripture. This specific gate, is also known today as the Golden Gate or Gate of Mercy, and another Arabic name is the Gate of Eternal Life. The gate was closed by the Muslims in 810AD, and briefly opened by the Crusaders in 1102 to 1187, and closed again by the Muslims. Ottoman Sultan Suleiman made sure it was completely walled up and sealed in 1541. Even though the Ottomans reigned during that era, there were Jews and Christians in the city as well. The Muslims are quite familiar with Scriptures as well, and they wanted to prevent a Jewish or Christian Messiah coming thought the eastern gate as was prophesied. They also believe that a Priest is not allowed to go through cemeteries, and therefor placed their cemeteries right in front of the gate. This assumption is not quite true, as there is no law forbidding Priests to go into or walk through cemeteries.
